My Favorite Season Is Nigh: An Autumnal Story

Yeah, Another Blogger

I don’t know about you, but shvitzing like a pig isn’t high on my list of things I get a kick out of doing. But shvitz like a pig I did on more than one occasion during the annoyingly hot and humid summer of 2018 that sneered at my section of the northern hemisphere. That’s because the grass on my lawn didn’t stop growing these past few months, nor did the bushes that border the lawn, nor did the God-knows-what-kinds-of-plants they were that sprouted up riotously wherever they could gain a foothold.

Somebody had to attend to all that vegetation, which meant that shitloads of mowing, pruning and weeding were in order. And that somebody was me. But, what with the steamy heat, I wasn’t eager to take on those tasks. Thus I let things slide as much as I could. Several times I had no choice though, as my neighbors were threatening to report me to my township’s Messy Motherf*ckers Aren’t Welcome Here department. And so, outside I would head to do the yard work thing.

Bottom line: Within 15 minutes each time, sweat was pouring off me in buckets, and my pale, white-boy face was pale no more. Into the house I’d have to repair to cool down. And then back outside to induce another round of sweating and reddening. Then back inside after 15 minutes, etc., etc.

Eventually the job would be completed.

Well, that’s a fairly long introduction, one that has only a tenuous connection to what I intended to write about when I sat down at my writing station. I need to get on track, as this essay is to be about the time of year that I like the best. Which is autumn. Of the four distinct seasons that my region (northeast USA) experiences, why autumn?  Well, summer, as is obvious from the complaints above, ain’t my fave. And winter is too damn cold. But what about spring? Everybody loves spring. It is, of course, terrific, a time of new birth and all that. But I pick autumn over spring, new birth notwithstanding.

Autumn will officially begin the day after I hit the Publish button for this story. Yet I hadn’t given autumn, fall if you will, much thought until recent days, days in which I downed two bottles of beer that set visions of my favorite season dancing in my head. The first to warm my innards was Smuttynose brewery’s Pumpkin Ale. Man, it was so rich and malty, and kissed with goodness by the pumpkin puree, cinnamon and other Thanksgiving-y spices that were tossed into the brewing vats.

Two nights later I finished off a bottle of Festbier, which came all the way from Germany’s Weihenstephaner brewery. Festbier goes hand in hand with Oktoberfest, a time for fun and getting soused that began in Germany in the early 1800s and has since spread to other parts of the globe. Festbier is one of many strong, tasty lagers that reach some of the world’s marketplaces a bit before the Oktoberfest season begins.

Those beers reminded me that the time of turning leaves and Thanksgiving dinners is approaching. And I felt mighty good about that. Not only do I love the colors of turning leaves, I love the whole idea that oceans of green morph into something very different, something very spectacular. What a show! It’s astonishing to me that the extravaganza takes place at all, and it undeniably is something to look forward to again, once it’s over.

And I’ve always been into Thanksgiving, a holiday of simplicity and, for those of us who are fortunate, one of being with people you want to be with. Not to mention Thanksgiving dinner’s crown jewel, pumpkin pie, which, when prepared correctly, is even better than pumpkin ale.

But that’s only part of the picture for me. I’m also drawn to fall because my birthday is in late October, the heart of the season. And though I no longer get thrilled when my birthday comes around, I don’t get depressed either, despite my hourglass becoming awfully damn low in the grains of sand department. That’s because I’ve built a psychic connection to my youth, when October was the greatest month of all. That link softens the blows of frigging Father Time.

More than anything though, I think my attraction to autumn is a reflection of my emotional structure. There’s something wistful about autumn in the falling leaves that follow the color explosions. And the sense of slowing down that comes with the season, as the amounts of daylight noticeably shorten, is comforting. As are the cooler temperatures that pretty well guarantee that shvitzing like a pig won’t be happening again anytime soon, unless I move to Florida in a couple of months.

Wistful . . . that’s a side of me that’s always been there, one I’m very much at ease with. And taking things somewhat slow . . . rarely a bad idea. Yes, fall is an extended occasion in which to flow soothingly, to get my oh-wow groove on, to smile internally.

Next month my wife Sandy and I will spend some days on Cape Cod. Going there in autumn has become a ritual for us. The Cape’s summer crowds will be long gone. The incredible Atlantic Ocean coastline will be ours to hike with relatively few members of our species around to break the spell of water, sand and sky. As always, I’ll feel happy, decently centered, wistful and relaxed all at the same time while on the Cape. The sunsets will be lovely and the nighttime air will be crisp. And, oh yeah, the lobster rolls will taste great. I can’t wait.

(Don’t be shy about adding your comments. Mucho gracias.)

105 thoughts on “My Favorite Season Is Nigh: An Autumnal Story”

  1. barrydjd September 21, 2018 / 12:09 am

    Don’t stress so much next year. Rent a goat to look after the garden work. 🙄

    Liked by 3 people

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:36 am

      Barry, you consistently have good ideas.
      Enjoy the weekend. Bye for now —

      Like

  2. Audrey Driscoll September 21, 2018 / 12:21 am

    I love fall too. And rain (up to a point). We had almost none from the end of June until last week, so it’s nice to hear it splashing and gurgling. On the other hand, the lawn didn’t need mowing. But it looked pretty brown, except for the tough weeds. I hope you post some impressions from Cape Cod.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:39 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Audrey. You went over two months with hardly any rain. That’s almost the opposite of what my region experienced. I think that my area has had a record amount of precipitation this year.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. tanjabrittonwriter September 21, 2018 / 12:32 am

    The way I see it, you should reward yourself with a couple of cool ones each time you do penance in the yard. That way, the grass and bushes won’t grow as tall, and you will prevent dehydration.
    Cheers Neil!
    Tanja

    Liked by 1 person

  4. bone&silver September 21, 2018 / 12:35 am

    I love Autumn too, and the drift into Winter… but I’m in tropical Australia, so our ‘winters’ are pretty awesome! Right now I’m facing down Spring into Summer- summer SUCKS here- so hot, so humid, so fecund I’m mowing the lawn every damn week. Enjoy the cooler days… G 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:44 am

      Hi there. Your summers sound pretty much the same as the ones in my region (southeastern Pennsylvania, USA). Here’s what I discovered about lawn mowing: I do it only half as often as I used to. That way, there’s less drudgery in my life.

      Liked by 1 person

      • bone&silver September 21, 2018 / 5:45 pm

        Yeah but then it gets twice as long and takes double the effort! 😖

        Liked by 1 person

  5. adityasemwal02 September 21, 2018 / 1:06 am

    Even I love autumn!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ken Dowell September 21, 2018 / 3:30 am

    Aren’t you thinking about getting out in the yard and doing something about the leaves before the neighbors complain? I have no interest in raking so I run the lawnmower over them and remember my father’s rationale about how mulched leaves make good fertilizer.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:48 am

      Don’t remind me about leaf raking. Man, I have a strained relationship with yard work. It’s good exercise, but it’s also an endless chore.

      Like

  7. C C Cedras September 21, 2018 / 7:08 am

    Living not that far from you, I enjoy the same autumn experience. I love it, too. I think the slowing down part is my favorite. I still have a bit of schvitzing in my near future, then I’m putting away the tools for several months. Enjoy, Neil.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:52 am

      Hi C.C.
      If I’m not mistaken, you live in a mountainous area. If so, you’re up close and personal with the turning leaves. See ya’ —

      Liked by 1 person

      • C C Cedras September 21, 2018 / 10:58 am

        You are correct. Things are still very green here, with just the first sprinklings of color. I’m ready!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Lynette d'Arty-Cross September 21, 2018 / 7:31 am

    Yes – autumn is a wonderful season. There are such lovely days.
    I like having a yard but I dislike yard work, especially when it’s so hot out. I don’t handle heat as well as I used to.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:54 am

      Yup, that’s true for me too. The last few years, the heat and blazing sun have gotten to me more than they used to. Have a great weekend, Lynette. As always, I appreciate your stopping by.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. joyce hamilton September 21, 2018 / 7:59 am

    The pumpkin beer sounds delicious! I just had a coffee chocolate beer that my friend brewed. Have fun at the Cape and a Happy Birthday there . Hope you get a chance to go to Sesuit Harbor Cafe at Northside Marina in Dennis….my favorite lobster roll.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:56 am

      Right, that place is still on my list. It’s more likely, though, that we’ll have lobster rolls at Spanky’s. Another place with good lobster rolls is The Bookstore Restaurant, in Wellfleet.

      Like

  10. Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter September 21, 2018 / 8:38 am

    Yes, I’m with you on both autumn / fall, and Cape Cod. We’ve been there twice, once in early spring and once in late spring / early summer. I preferred the first because it was much quieter. Also, I misjudged the strength of the sun the second time and got the backs of my legs badly burned. That was about 25 years ago and I still rarely wear shorts as a result! New England in the Fall remains an ambition for the days when one of us is no longer attached to a university. Impossible as things stand.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Robert Parker September 21, 2018 / 9:36 am

    My favorite season, too. Picking apples, eating apples, eating apple pie, eating apple cobbler. Then on to pumpkin pie, etc.
    And throwing the bad apples at people drinking pumpkin ale.
    No, just kidding about that last part! 🙂 But that Festbier sounds great.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 10:59 am

      Hey there, Robert. I like some brands of pumpkin ales better than others. The one I had (Smuttynose) seemed really good.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Robert Parker September 21, 2018 / 11:07 am

        OK, thank you, I like their Brown Dog, I’ll give the pumpkin a try. They get points just for their brand name – -and their new kosher line “SchmutzySchnoz”

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Helen Devries September 21, 2018 / 10:42 am

    We didn’t have official worriers about garden tidiness when I lived in England but one self important woman did come to my door to point out that growing rhubarb in my front garden was letting down the tone of the area.
    It was, in fact, a gunnera plant, so the next year I transplanted a real rhubarb root into the front garden so that she could see the difference….
    Not invited to her annual cocktail party that year…

    Cape Cod in autumn sounds heavenly.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 11:43 am

      Your mention of rhubarb reminds me that I used to eat strawberry-rhubarb pie years ago. When baked nicely, it’s delicious. Do they make that pie in the UK? I don’t see it too much anymore in the USA, but maybe I’m not looking hard enough.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Helen Devries September 21, 2018 / 11:50 am

        I never came across it when living in the U.K….but I’ve seen strawberry and rhubarb mousse on sale when doing my mother’s shopping on the internet.
        We are too hot for growing rhubarb, I think, but i will try to track down a source as that sounds like a super combination for a pie.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. tylerus September 21, 2018 / 10:46 am

    LOL . . . I can see the shvitz. I, too, prefer fall . . . though I’d be quite happy to reside on a Hawaiian island with “summer” all year long. Those trades make a difference. Haven’t been to Cape Cod in years, but have fond memories. New England’s lovely, any time of year. Enjoy!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 11:45 am

      You’re right. I think that just about anywhere in New England is real nice. It’s a bunch of beautiful states. Bye for now, Tyler.

      Like

  14. SandyL September 21, 2018 / 10:48 am

    Best of Fall: Sunny days, cooler nights, autumn colors, apples everything and back to school … speaking of which … you taught me a new word ‘shvitzing.’ I had to read a couple lines down to figure it had nothing to do with prison gangs and cell block murders. Clearly, I’ve been watching too much Netflix.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 11:47 am

      Yeah, I like that word. I think I’ve used it in one or two earlier essays. Many thanks for dropping by, Sandy. Be seeing you —

      Like

  15. endardoo September 21, 2018 / 11:39 am

    What a lovely, tranquil, thankful, ruminative, descriptive post. Gorgeous meditation on season and time, and ultimately you come out on the positive side of it all. Loved this.

    Liked by 4 people

  16. Janet Sunderland September 21, 2018 / 11:55 am

    This year, in general, has been much a’do about waaaaay to much. I, too, like the slowing down feel to autumn, however, along with that, my fingertips and toes start turning cold as soon as September rolls in and I begin pulling out the wool socks. That’s the part I’m not so fond of.

    Have a great time on the Cape. It’s a wonderful time to be at the ocean. We’re heading to Baltimore in a few weeks and will take a quick trip to Ocean City just for fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 2:30 pm

      You’re heading to two good places. You’ll enjoy them. Thanks for hanging out on my blog, Janet. Take care.

      Like

  17. JT Twissel September 21, 2018 / 12:17 pm

    A lovely missive to Autumn which is my favorite time of year as well (and I was born in late May). Cape Cod sounds lovely – we are going to Nova Scotia.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 2:31 pm

      I’d like to get to Nova Scotia one of these days. I was there many years ago. A beautiful hunk of landscape and seascape.

      Like

  18. Marietta Rodgers September 21, 2018 / 12:30 pm

    Have you tried just setting your grass on fire? You’re right Autumn is an awesome time of year and I hope you guys enjoy your time at Cape Cod.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 2:33 pm

      I mowed my lawn last week, and it already needs another mowing. What a pain. Thanks for dropping by, Marietta. It’s always good to hear from you.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Laurie Graves September 21, 2018 / 6:20 pm

    Fall is one of my favorite seasons, too. This summer was something else, even in Maine. I am glad it is over. Have a wonderful time at the Cape and enjoy those lobster rolls.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 21, 2018 / 9:15 pm

      Well, it looks like the extreme heat has ended in northeast USA. Of course, you never know. Anyway, thanks a lot for once again stopping by my humble website, Laurie. Be seeing you —

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Fran Johns September 21, 2018 / 11:45 pm

    Living in San Francisco, where we have three seasons: cool-sunny, fog and rain, I can only commiserate with you in memory of my previous lives in VA and GA. But being a goy, I greatly appreciate your introducing me to this fine word schvitzing. Which I don’t do much while exercising in SF’s cool, usually sunny Mountain Lake Park. You should come visit, next time you weary of schvitzing like a pig. I love visiting your blog — and learning stuff!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 22, 2018 / 7:07 am

      You live in one of my favorite cities, Fran. I’ve been to San Francisco a bunch of times over the years. The hills, the ocean, the great neighborhoods — what a place!

      Like

  21. selizabryangmailcom September 22, 2018 / 1:26 am

    Very lyrically worded and heartfelt. Left me feeling wistful and nostalgic. I think I feel the same way about dusk: the soft yellow light, the end of the day, the winding down. The perfect time to down one of those pumpkin ales you mentioned.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 22, 2018 / 7:14 am

      Hi there, Stacey. Glad you liked this story. Today I might go shopping for beer. Wouldn’t mind picking up another pumpkin ale. Theyre available for only a limited time. Have a real good weekend. Bye for now.

      Like

  22. Mellow Curmudgeon September 22, 2018 / 10:11 am

    Fall is my favorite season also.  October is the best month of the year where I live.

            *October*
                    Bright sun and cool air;
                    azure skies and pumpkin pies.
                    Leaves fall in glory.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Isabelle September 22, 2018 / 1:26 pm

    This is a very pleasant post that marks the beauty of autumn. I’ve observed some similar patterns here, the golden- red colour in the woods, the falling leaves. Hope autumn will last longer this year. I googled Cape Cod, those images I saw were magnificent. Enjoy your trip in this awesome time of the year, Neil! Isabelle

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 22, 2018 / 9:10 pm

      You’d have a great time on Cape Cod, Isabelle. Lots of natural beauty. And there are pretty villages, good restaurants, small museums and art galleries, etc.
      Bye for now —

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Ann Coleman September 22, 2018 / 1:48 pm

    You’re right, there is something wistful about fall, and it’s not just knowing that winter is coming. There is something comforting and familiar about the season. (not the least of which is knowing we won’t be sweating like a pig for a little while!)

    Liked by 1 person

  25. America On Coffee September 22, 2018 / 2:07 pm

    You deserve a treat, Neil. Just make sure you relax and thoroughly and enjoy. (-:

    Liked by 1 person

  26. andrewcferguson September 22, 2018 / 3:38 pm

    You mount a convincing, and lyrical, case, Neil, but it’s Spring for me every time. Something to do with the lengthening light. However, we’re heading to Spain in a couple of weeks to catch some last dying rays, so you’ll be hearing from me there! Look forward to hearing about your trip to Cape Cod…

    Liked by 1 person

      • andrewcferguson September 23, 2018 / 5:27 am

        It absolutely is, Neil. Now I have a bit of the lingo it’s actually quite hard to convince myself to go somewhere else! The people, food, wine and climate are pretty hard to beat…

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Julie Holmes, author September 23, 2018 / 8:02 am

    I’m with you–the yardwork never ends (or the garden work) until it gets cold enough to stop everything from growing. I enjoyed it more (yes, enjoyed) when I was younger (and not focusing so much on my writing). Not so sure about all the pumpkin-flavored stuff that comes out of the shadows, though. The Festbier sounds wonderful! I was in Munich one year during the last week of Oktoberfest–yikes! Talk about wall-to-wall people in the festival area. That is where I got hooked on good beer though, not the flavorless stuff here, so I give my business to craft brewers. Still can’t stomach pumpkin beer, tho’ 🙂 Enjoy the season!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 23, 2018 / 10:15 am

      I know what you mean about pumpkin ale. It took quite a while before I got to like it. Some breweries make better versions of it than others. In the USA’s Colonial era, I think that some form of pumpkin beer was brewed, believe it or not. Take care, Julie .

      Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 23, 2018 / 9:47 pm

      The temperatures are decreasing, the trees are getting ready to change the colors of their leaves. Fall is here.

      Thanks for the visit, Michele. I appreciate it.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Lucy Grove-Jones September 24, 2018 / 12:38 am

    I’m southern hemisphere, so we’re just rolling into spring with blossoms and new sunshine and cheerfulness and all that. But I like autumn too. For me, autumn is always a relief. It feels like you’ve finished something and can have a rest.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 24, 2018 / 6:29 am

      For the inhabitants of those parts of the globe that have four distinct seasons, my guess is that spring is their overall favorite. I wonder if anyone ever has done a survey about this. Maybe I’ll goggle it. Thanks very much for stopping by, Lucy. Much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Cristina Crawford September 24, 2018 / 9:25 am

    I love fall too and missed it’s crisp temps and fabulous colors when I lived for five years in– what I “affectionately” called it– “middle earth” Alabama. I also missed it, but strangely not as much, when I lived in Redondo Beach, California…just two miles from the ocean. Oh, and how perfect were volksmarches in the German forests when I lived in Stuttgart for three years. Now back in Northern Virginia I can definitely pull out the ugly but comfy Ugg Boots and enjoy lovely walks in leaves of many brilliant colors with The Poodle. Of course if only this damned rain would stop. It’s rained for more than half of the month of September so far…. BTW, October is my birth month too. Pumpkin pie is always my birthday treat request. Enjoy the Cape and those lobster rolls…. yum!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 24, 2018 / 11:40 am

      Hey there, Cristina. You and are definitely are on some similar wavelengths.
      As for the rain: In southeastern PA, where I live, it has rained on an incredible number of days this year. I can’t recall anything like it.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. chef mimi September 24, 2018 / 5:28 pm

    I agree! Here’s to fall/autumn! I doubt those beers will come to Oklahoma, but I can at least ask…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger October 3, 2018 / 2:24 pm

      Hello Mimi. I discovered your comment today. Somehow it had been delivered to the spam section of comments. You never know with beers: For instance, in my area, I sometimes find beers from tiny breweries in distant states. Take care —

      Liked by 1 person

  32. sniderjerry September 24, 2018 / 7:24 pm

    Hi. Neil. Fall is such a pretty time of the year – even the traffic lights change color. Have a great day. Jerry

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Imelda September 24, 2018 / 11:01 pm

    Spring, with its waiting for the earth to bloom, is pure elation. Autumn, with its waiting for things to wind down, is grandeur tempered with the solemnity of loss. And I think that makes autumn very beautiful and nuanced, aside from the fact that it brings relief from a scorching summer).

    Have a great day.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 25, 2018 / 6:41 am

      Imelda, you put it beautifully. And, where I live, a traditional autumn seems to have set in — that is, the high temperatures have gone away! Many thanks for adding your thoughts. It’s always good to hear from you.

      Like

  34. cincinnatibabyhead September 25, 2018 / 12:05 am

    Ok, Halloween is my favorite holiday (A CB official holiday). I will officially challenge you to a pumpkin pie eating contest. I will supply the pies. And sticking to my music vibe, the official autumn song is ‘King Harvest (Has Surely Come)’
    Enjoy the fall Neil.

    (Movie alert. ‘Green Book’ is high on my list to catch. You will probably see it before me)

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 25, 2018 / 6:48 am

      Haven’t heard of Green Book. I’ll google it.
      As for songs — man, you’re right. King Harvest is a great tune. That whole album is perfect, one of the best ever. I’m gonna have to pull it off the shelf and give it a spin.

      Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead September 25, 2018 / 12:34 pm

        I remember Robertson talking about the song and your favorite time of year.

        Green Book looks like a winner.

        Liked by 1 person

  35. Carmel Bendon September 25, 2018 / 3:06 am

    The long, hot, humid summers drag on for too long here in Australia. They’re enough to drive you to drink (beer, especially) – and for that, most of us are very grateful. It’s spring here now, of course, but your reflections on lawn mowing and the seasons brought back to me a rhyme that my dear, long departed dad would recite on 1st October every year (to the annoyance of his children): “Spring has sprung, the grass has ris; I wonder where the lawn mower is!” Thanks Neil. Enjoy Cape Cod (and the pumpkin beer).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 25, 2018 / 6:52 am

      Hey, Carmel. It’s good to hear from you. If you’d like to fly to the USA to help me mow my lawn, I won’t complain. Even though the temperatures have cooled, we continue to get rain like crazy. And the grass, because of that, I think, is growing real fast. I need help!

      Like

  36. pjlazos September 26, 2018 / 12:46 pm

    I’m with you, Neil. Autumn is my fav season, too. It feels like the real start of a new year — football games, sweaters and scarves, meeting new and old friends at school, I don’t know, just a fresh start. Happy birthday! Pam

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 26, 2018 / 2:20 pm

      It’s a refreshing time of the year, for sure. Too bad it lasts only a relatively short while. Have a great rest of the week, Pam. Stay cool and stay dry!

      Liked by 1 person

  37. acomediansguidetoenlightenment September 26, 2018 / 2:55 pm

    See, that’s what you get for living in a house with a lawn. Much better to live in an old, run down apartment with only concrete outside… wait. Nope, I’m jealous of your lawn. Maybe next time pay some kid down the street $20 and call it a day!
    I love fall as well. Unfortunately, living in L.A. I don’t really get to experience it apart from pumpkin lattes at Starbucks. But growing up in Ohio I definitely know the beauty of fall foliage!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 26, 2018 / 5:30 pm

      Hey there. Good to hear from you. Here in the Philadelphia region the trees have barely started to change color. Probably the height of it will be in late October.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Jacqui Murray September 28, 2018 / 5:34 pm

    Is there anything better than beer on a hot day? AC? nope. Chocolate? Not even close. sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 28, 2018 / 8:37 pm

      I had a delicious beer with dinner tonight. It was a hoppy ale from the Free Will brewery, which is in a small town in southeast Pennsylvania.

      Like

  39. alhenry September 29, 2018 / 6:09 am

    I’m with you on the pumpkin pie, Neil. And I agree the riotous fall foliage is a thing of beauty. My trouble with fall, however, is that I can’t quite forget what it’s leading up to: Damnable Winter! Three hours of daylight and never a warm bone in your body. So, though my piddling quarter-acre lot grows enough green to fill an Amazon rainforest, I must stand by summer. Flipflops, tank tops, Summer ale on the deck. And nary a snowflake in sight.

    Enjoy your favorite season. They all fly too swiftly.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 29, 2018 / 7:36 am

      Don’t remind me of winter! I’m not a fan of that season either. Have a great weekend, Amy.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. viewfromoverthehill September 29, 2018 / 2:45 pm

    I live in a rain forest and even we had too much heat and no rain this summer. I don’t do heat happily either, so I’m also delighted it’s over for now.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 29, 2018 / 3:33 pm

      Yeah, temperatures are moderate I guess in much of North America now. I did a lot of yard work today and survived it very well, because it wasn’t too hot outside. Take care, Muriel. Be seeing you —

      Like

  41. Cindy Bruchman September 29, 2018 / 4:29 pm

    Glad you were able to re-hydrate with interesting beer. A trip to Cape Cod sounds heavenly. Funny post!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 29, 2018 / 5:31 pm

      Hi Cindy, and thanks a lot for stopping by. Speaking of beer, I’m looking forward to having a tall, cool one tonight with dinner. My wife and I will be at a place that has more than 50 beers to choose from. See ya’—

      Like

  42. Alyson September 30, 2018 / 6:12 am

    Yes Neil, with you on the favourite season being autumn but perhaps for another reason. There is something just great about looking out warm jumpers, coats and scarfs again after a long hot summer. As a fellow pale-face (Scottish remember) it is a constant battle trying to find something to wear that is cooling, yet protects the skin from those harmful UV rays (without lathering on a bottle of sunscreen). I’m ok now in my roll-neck sweaters probably until next May/June when the clothing nightmare will start again.

    Liked you shvitzing word too – Very descriptive. An inbuilt sprinkler system!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger September 30, 2018 / 7:09 am

      Hi. Today is a perfect autumn day in my region. Sandy and I will be going to the Big Apple for the day to get together with friends. Maybe we’ll take a stroll thru Central Park, which is beautiful at any time of year. Thanks for stopping by, Alyson. Bye for now.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Alyson September 30, 2018 / 8:05 am

        Wow, enjoy NYC and Central Park – Will be beautiful I’m sure.

        Liked by 1 person

  43. jeanleesworld October 2, 2018 / 6:28 am

    Autumn is my favorite season as well, although I can’t stand to drink pumpkin–give me some good spiced cider any day. Eating pumpkin in baked goods, however, is a whoooooooole ‘nother story. 🙂 Enjoy your trip!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger October 2, 2018 / 1:18 pm

      I haven’t thought about apple cider in a while. It’s delicious. Especially when it’s served warm. Bye for now, Jean —

      Liked by 1 person

  44. grimspound October 11, 2018 / 1:15 pm

    Even when I lived in the cold North, fall was my favorite season, despite the fact that winter was coming. You’ve touched on many of the reasons why, Neil.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger October 11, 2018 / 7:36 pm

      Hi Dianne. It would be nice to move directly from autumn to spring. Winter is a big pain!

      Like

  45. cmwriter October 17, 2018 / 12:08 pm

    Fall is my favorite season also. In the desert, that means our temps drop into the 80’s. But as a one time Buffalo, NY type, I can still “see” the fall colors (we get a few) and “feel” the autumn air.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah, Another Blogger October 17, 2018 / 3:31 pm

      Hi Carol. I probably should take a drive to the Pocono mountains, which aren’t terribly far from where I live in PA. Autumn colors are best-seen in mountains.

      Like

  46. K E Garland October 17, 2018 / 2:55 pm

    The MMWAH department is the main reason we now live in a townhouse lol

    Liked by 1 person

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